18. Pleural Effusion

Question 1

**5 s/s pleural effusion

Answer 1

• chest pain
• dry/nonproductive cough
• dyspnea
• orthopnea
• fever
• *- NO SOB

Question 2

Testing for pleural effusion

Answer 2

• chest xray
• CT
• Ultrasound

Question 3

Medications for pleural effusion

Answer 3

• diuretics (CHF & pulmonary edema)
• abx (parapneumonic effusion and empyema)
• anticoagulation (PE)

Question 4

Treatment for pleural effusion

Answer 4

• thoracenteses (needle decompression)
• tube thoracostomy (chest tube)
• pleural drain
• O2
• diuretic positioning
• avoid exacerbating and conserving energy